Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has come under fire for his decision to let Kai Havertz take a penalty during their recent match against AFC Bournemouth. This move has been labeled as “unprofessional” by former Liverpool player, Steve Nicol.
In the 53rd minute of the game, Kai Havertz successfully scored his first goal for Arsenal from the penalty spot. This was a significant moment for the German player, who joined the club from Chelsea in the summer.
Since his arrival at Arsenal, Havertz has faced criticism for not meeting the high expectations set by the fans. He has struggled in his initial matches for the club, which has led to disappointment among the Gunners faithful.
Mikel Arteta expressed his gratitude to the fans for supporting Havertz and expressed hope that this first goal would bring about a positive change in the player’s performance.
Steve Nicol, while speaking on ESPN, criticized Arteta for allowing Havertz to take the penalty. He believed that other players like Saka or Odegaard should have been given the responsibility instead.
Nicol argued that Arteta’s decision showed a lack of professionalism. He pointed out that at 2-0, the game was not yet over, and if Havertz had missed the penalty and Bournemouth had scored two late goals, it could have had serious consequences for Arsenal.
